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They Were Young Men. They Became World War II Heroes

They were ordinary Americans placed in extraordinary situations. Bombardier Lt. Edouard Jacques and his crew are part of the greatest generation: the heroes in World War 2 who changed history.

A lead bombardier aboard a B-24 Liberator in the “Mighty Eighth”, 96th Bomb Wing, 458th Bomb Group from 1944 to 1945, Lt. Jacques survived 30 missions over Germany, earning him the Distinguished Flying Cross, and his crew, the Lead Crew Commendation.

As a young man coming of age in RI, Edouard Jacques had his sights set on one thing: marrying his sweetheart and becoming a husband and father. But first, he became a hero of WWII, 25,000 feet over Nazi Germany.

Lt. Jacques was recognized for “extraordinary achievement while serving as bombardier on many heavy bombardment missions over enemy occupied territory and Germany,” and for his “coolness and exceptional bombing skill…in the face of heavy enemy opposition.”

His story is a familiar tale of bravery in the face of tyranny common to those of his generation.

Click Here to read the preface from the upcoming book “Shadow Heroes”.

The Crew – Audio Interviews
They were sons of pioneers, of immigrants, of tobacco growers, contractors from New Jersey, electricians from New York City, and a butcher’s son from Germany. Listen to some actual interviews below!

Listen to interviews from our heroes of World War 2.

Interviews were recorded between 2005-2010, and include Edouard Jacques and his crew. They were men of the 8th Air Force, 96th Bomb Wing, 458 Bomb Group, 752nd and 755th SquadronsLead bombardier of The 458th Bomb Group – Edouard Jacques from RI

Waist Gunner – Bob Giles from South Carolina (coming soon)

Pilot of The 755th Squadron – Fred Eisert from Ohio (coming soon)

Pilot of The 752nd – Merlin Tebbs from Utah (coming soon)
Author: Arthur Capaldi Google+ Learn more about the author read more »

Coming Soon! Shadow Heroes

Read all about Lt. Edouard Jacques and his crew. This is the story of boys from Rhode Island, Utah, South Carolina, Texas, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Neumarkt, Germany.

Their backgrounds are as diverse as the places from which they came.

While they were not similar in background or culture, they were similar in the kind of men they were then and are now. Their early lives, military training, missions and life after the war are explored in this book.